IAF Blasts Gaza Smuggling Tunnel

The Air Force has demolished yet another smuggling tunnel in response to attacks from Gaza.

By Maayana Miskin

First Publish: 3/22/2010, 8:52 AM / Last Update: 3/22/2010, 9:27 AM

Israel Air Force planes blasted a smuggling tunnel along the Gaza-Egypt border early on Monday morning. The strike was carried out in response to the recent wave of rocket attacks from Gaza. Gaza terrorists fired five rockets at southern Israel on Saturday and Sunday, and last week, an attack on Netiv HaAsarah killed a Thai worker.

An IDF spokesman said the strike was successful, and the planes involved returned safely.

"The IDF will not put up with attempts to harm the citizens of Israel or IDF soldiers, and will continue to act with strength and determination against any entity using terrorism against the state of Israel,” the spokesman said.

The spokesman added that Israel sees Hamas as responsible for the rocket fire, because of its role leading the de facto government in Gaza. Hamas has not claimed responsibility for the most recent rocket attacks, which appear to have been carried out by Fatah and Islamic Jihad.

Users of a Fatah Internet forum claimed recently that Hamas has been enlisting Gazan families living near the border with Israel to help them prevent Fatah from firing rockets at southern Israel. The families report sightings of Fatah rocket launching cells, and in return receive payments, cell phones, weapons, and Hamas protection.